The Forward Press: Atlético Ottawa, CarGo and Sissoko Gear Up for “Fireworks” on Sunday
There’s not much to say that hasn’t been completely analyzed (and in some cases, over-analyzed) in the build-up to the playoff clash between Atlético Ottawa and York United. Coach Carlos González , Atlético Ottawa COO Jon Sinden and midfielder Abou Sissoko joined a press conference Thursday afternoon ahead of the Sunday matchup to provide some thoughts and feelings, in a presser that ran over an hour in length. So buckle up folks and let’s let Carlos, Jon, and Abou do the talking. Here’s everything you need to hear before Atlético Ottawa’s charged home quarter-final match with York United
The Quotes: Jon Sinden
On front office success: “The front office doesn't get enough hat tips or head nods or high fives. And I just wanted to do that today…We're trying to set a league standard. Not only in attendance, but in the actual match day experience. And we think we're doing that each and every game. And it's really cool to see.”
On how to replace Fernando Lopez: “Fernando was the guy who started this. We're trying to carry out parts of his vision still. But the beauty of a man like Fernando was that his vision was our vision. We're going to keep that going. So the vision hasn't changed. The growth, the metrics of success haven't changed. We feel like we have, of course, most teams would say, the best front office in the league…Of course, if Madrid wants to add even more talent to that, we welcome with open arms, because it just reinforces connection to Madrid, which is an amazing thing for a team in our league to have.”
The Quotes: Carlos González
On the response to his previous comments on this York side: “I've never lost one second of my time in thinking about the opinion of other coaches on myself or on my team, so I'm not going to do it today. I think that we have more important things to focus on, mainly our football…We were not afraid of playing York or playing any team. In that moment of the season the comparison was playing against them or playing against Calgary or Forge. So that's why I answer my question. So I think that this is a little bit of this spark the media side like. It's good to build on a rivalry between York and Ottawa. But nothing more about that. I totally respect their side. I think that they've done good things. That's why they are here, where we are.”
On carrying momentum into playoffs: “I felt that in the last month, the team has given a very solid face. And I think that this is the most important thing going into playoff games, in which the details are going to be critical. Now what you've done in the past doesn't matter much. It's a brand new tournament, it's a new competition, and it's a knockout game. It's 90 minutes in which details are going to be so important.”
On Rubén Del Campo’s reaction to losing the Golden Boot race: I’m surprised in the positive way in how he managed this. Of course we were all eager to help him to the Golden Boot. We couldn't as a team and he couldn't have this reward, but looking forward I think he’s training well and he’s forgotten that part of the season…We haven’t spoken too much about last week, so we move on.”
On expectations of the support: “I expect energy. I expect great atmosphere that helps us to achieve what we want to do – win the game and get through to the next round…And at the end of the day, [supporters] that, when we finish the game, they are proud of the game they've seen, and they are proud of being supporters of our team.”
On a charged meeting between two sides: “On the one hand, I think that growing this rivalry between both teams is very positive. At the end of the day, it's good for the league. I think that this is the type of [match] that everybody likes. I think it has to be healthy, it doesn't have to go over a certain line…I agree that York, they are a team that manage very well the ‘extras.’ They play this type of football. So we acknowledge that, we know that, and we have to be also very good on that.”
On playoff experience within the squad: “I think it's one of the most important sides of these types of games. I think that that was one of the things that we touch on. The first day we came back to training sessions is to review how many knockout games or play-off games we've already lived in our professional careers. And we have a lot of players that have played a great amount of this type of games. So it's very important because they already know what are the key aspects on these games, what are the details that they have to be focus on.”
On Sam Salter and Rubén Del Campo both starting: It is a possibility, no? Last game, we saw them together. So if we've seen them once, why can't we see them again? It's a possibility!
The Quotes: Aboubacar Sissoko
On a familiar foe: “It's a match like any other. With a lot of respect, we played against York. It’s the fourth time we're going to play against them. We know each other perfectly and we're just going to stick to the game plan that the coach will give us and get the three points.”
On defensive responsibility: “I'm here to help the team to have success. So wherever the coach me puts on the pitch, I'm going to go and try to give my best. So honestly, playing as a six, as an eight, or even as a right back, honestly, I'm just here to help the team to win. So I'm going to accept every role I'm going to have.”
On encouraging the younger players: “They're excited. There are some young players where it's going to be their first playoff games. So honestly, they just have to be calm and enjoy every moment because playing play-off games, it’s tough. So honestly, I just told them to enjoy every moment in football, every training session, everything. Enjoy, because the career goes fast like that. You can see, Max, it's going to be his last games. So honestly, they just need to enjoy. And if you enjoy the football, everything is going to be easy on the pitch.”
On how supporters can make an impact: “They've been amazing. So honestly, they just have to show up and then give us the same energy they've been giving us since the beginning of the year.”
On the coaches trading comments: “It's going over our heads. Every person has the right to think what they want. So, we respect a person's decision when they stand up and talk about something. It comes from the person, so we're not going to start judging the person and saying that the person made a bad decision. That's what our coach, with a lot of respect, thinks about it. And for sure there are other people who are thinking about it too. And it's certain that on the York side they also probably think that we are one of the worst teams on Earth too. So at the end of the day, it's still football, we're fair play and we're going to try to get the three points.”
On the importance of experience: “The more play-off games we have, the more we know how to start the games, the more we know how to manage our emotions. For sure, the game against New York is going to be electric. You just have to stay mature, stay focused and respect the opponent without respecting them too much. I’m sure we're the players capable of giving that on the pitch.”
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No big takeaway as I think we all know what’s at stake in this game. Carlos González a started this beef in the GTA one month ago and he’ll be expected to back up strong his opinions this weekend. York have taken the words of the Spaniard personally, and after already engaging in some extracurriculars at home to Pacific last week, Atlético Ottawa will have to prepare for a match which will have to be measured by calm heads and maturity as much as displays of skill. Carlos González mentioned he expects “a game with a lot of fireworks” on Sunday, but I think many would trade fireworks for a well-managed defensive display if it meant Atlético Ottawa comes out with the win. Carlos González is supported by a fully-fit squad this week, meaning he will be without only the suspended Luke Singh and Liberman Torres. The fitness of Kris Twardek and Alberto Zapater falls into the ‘questionable’ category as the two return from injury.
The victor on Sunday night will progress to the second semi-final to play the loser of Cavalry and Forge, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Time to let the actions of Sunday night speak for itself. You’ve heard the staff’s wishes for support on Sunday night, so bring all that energy and join the CCSG as we march to TD Place Stadium from the Glebe Central Pub an hour before kickoff at 12 p.m. Make sure you’re within the ranks when that happens. We hope to see you there and bringing the noise in the Dub on Sunday! Vamos Atleti!
About the Author
Ben Ralph is a die-hard football fan and a journalism student at Carleton. He has been supporting Everton through the ups and downs (but mostly the downs) and could not believe his luck when he stumbled across Atlético Ottawa in 2021. Now part of the Atleti faithful, his dream has always been to write football stories, and he is excited to join other fans as writers for CCSG. His football journalist idols are Adam Hurrey, James Richardson, and Charlie Eccleshare from The Football Cliches Podcast.
